ALICE Ch 116

Faye Darcy doesn’t do well with publicity events, but to simply abstain from them is not an option. While Alice appears live in front of a massive crowd in the sunlight, Faye is snug in the FUTA offices on a video call with Jimmy Carr.

“How are you liking Miami, then?” he asks with his characteristic high energy. “I assume loads of sunlight. Cuban people. Topless lasses everywhere. Probably some Republicans with guns. Has anyone shot at you yet, Faye? Are they shooting at you now? Are you safe?”

Faye laughs nervously. “I’ve never been good for travel,” she admits truthfully.

“And I’ll tell you why. You haven’t touched your wine. That’s why.”

“Well, it’s rather early here for that,” Faye replies.

“Nonsense. You’re in the heart of it, Faye. Florida. The center of America’s culture war. I can think of no finer place to focus on the most high-pressure, precision sport known to our species.”

“Mmm,” Faye replies desperately. She looks in panic at her manager; she’s close to tears. Faye snatches up her wine glass and gulps. The best compromise that FUTA can make for her is letter her do remote appearances geared toward European audiences. The idea is letting Alice handle the Yanks while Faye halfheartedly tries to appeal to everybody else. Faye isn’t sure that it’s working, although people don’t seem to have any reason not to like her.

“All anyone’s talking about is this advert that’s featuring your teammate and Valeria Flores, all for a European perfume company. I understand after the last race the team dynamics are tense and complex. The rumor is that this deal with Diorgasm isn’t going quite the way people thought it might.”

Faye’s hand tightens on her glass.

“No, indeed,” she murmurs.

“Striking imagery. Certainly makes me want to buy perfume.”

Faye is unable to fake a laugh. She tries to smile and Carr has the sense and decency to read the room and pivot.

“On a more serious note, I’m wondering about a Grand Prix in the United States. That’s a recent development, after all, and I’ve never been. Is it different at all? For those of us at home? Or is it just a normal race weekend, you think?”

Faye hesitates. Her manager glares, gesturing impatiently for her to speak. She can’t just sit here, even though she’s freezing up badly. This was the wrong day to do this. That Diorgasm thing took her completely off-guard this morning. It took everyone off-guard.

“Normal?” Faye laughs nervously. “My mum’s team principal. We’ve had car troubles. A new pit crew. My girlfriend’s doing lewd adverts and throwing helmets and now every woman on Earth is sending thirst tweets about her. Normal? How do I even use that word?”